2026 Proving Grounds HS Girls

High School Girls Showcase

The 417 Elite 50 brought together some of the top young basketball talent from across Southwest Missouri, and the girls' event provided plenty of players worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

What stood out most wasn't simply the ability to score. Throughout the event, we saw players who competed, defended, rebounded, made winning plays and showed a high level of basketball IQ. Some made their impact with their scoring ability, while others stood out because of their toughness, versatility, leadership or willingness to do the things that don't always show up in the box score.

These evaluations are based on what stood out during the event and are intended to highlight players who made an impression and give coaches, programs and fans a closer look at the talent coming through the region.

Ryleigh Davis – Thayer High School | Class of 2028

Davis was one of the players who really stood out at the Proving Grounds. She is a high-level volume scorer who plays with confidence and brings a noticeable energy to the floor. She has the ability to take over stretches of a game, but what stood out just as much, was the way she impacts the game beyond simply putting points on the board.

She plays with a high basketball IQ and has a good understanding of what the game is giving her. Davis does a nice job reading the floor, recognizing opportunities and making plays when her team needs them. She isn't afraid to take responsibility offensively, and her confidence gives her the ability to carry an offense when necessary.

Her energy is contagious, and she brings a leadership presence every time she steps on the floor. Whether she's scoring, making a play for a teammate or simply competing, she has a way of affecting the game and raising the level of those around her.

Overall, Davis is a dynamic, high-IQ scorer and natural leader who brings energy, confidence and the ability to produce at a high level. She was one of the top players at the event and someone who consistently looked capable of taking over a game when her team needed it.

Rylin Homburg – Greenwood High School | Class of 2029

Homburg is a strong, physical player with good size who isn’t afraid to mix it up and compete. One of the things that stood out was her willingness to take on a defensive assignment and really go after it. She plays with toughness, competes hard, and doesn’t shy away from contact.

Offensively, Homburg showed a nice shooting stroke from the outside and the ability to stretch the floor. She also displayed solid footwork on both ends of the court and used her strength well around the basket. She is a strong rebounder who is willing to battle for position and pursue the basketball.

Overall, Homburg stood out as a tough, competitive two-way player with size, shooting ability, and a willingness to do the physical work that helps a team win.

Reese Henry – 5'8" Guard | Ozark High School | Class of 2029

Henry is a confident and skilled young guard who looked very comfortable with the ball in her hands at the Proving Grounds. She has a quick, smooth release from the outside, and if the defense gives her space, she is capable of making them pay.

She handles the ball with confidence and looks comfortable creating for herself or getting the offense started. What stood out was that she doesn't seem limited to one role offensively. She can handle it, attack off the dribble, create her own shot, or play off the ball and be ready to shoot.

For a Class of 2029 guard, Henry already shows a good combination of confidence, skill, and offensive versatility. She plays like a guard who is comfortable having the ball in her hands and trusts her ability to make game-winning plays when the opportunity is there.

Deonna King – 5'7" | Kickapoo High School | Class of 2029

King is a player who plays much bigger than her 5'7" frame. At the Proving Grounds, what stood out was her willingness to compete wherever she was needed defensively. She wasn't afraid to battle bigger players in the post, but she also showed the ability to step out and guard on the perimeter.

Offensively, King showed that she wants to play the game the right way. She moves the ball quickly, doesn't hold onto it unnecessarily, and looks to keep the offense flowing rather than forcing plays.

Overall, King brings toughness, versatility, and a team-first approach. Her willingness to defend different positions and compete against bigger players makes her someone who can impact the game without needing the ball in her hands.

Kinley Luna – 5'3" Guard | Dora High School | Class of 2027

Luna is a tough, scrappy scoring guard who plays bigger than her 5'3" frame. At the Proving Grounds, what stood out was how comfortable she was attacking bigger players. She navigates well through traffic, get around the bigs, and isn't afraid of contact or size. That same toughness shows defensively, where she is willing to match up with bigger players.

Offensively, Luna is quick with a good change of pace and always looks like she is a threat to score. If you're guarding her, you have to be ready from the start because she can attack at any moment. Give her an opening or get caught off balance, and she has the quickness and creativity to make a defender look silly.

Overall, Luna is a fearless, aggressive scoring guard who uses quickness, toughness, and change of pace to overcome her size. She competes hard and plays with the confidence of someone who expects to score every time she gets an opportunity.

Alyssa Newman – 5'9" Guard | Greenwood High School | Class of 2028

Newman is a strong, confident combo guard who is very comfortable playing around the perimeter. At the Proving Grounds, what stood out to us was her willingness to shoot the basketball. She has legitimate range and isn't afraid to let it go from just about anywhere on the court, so defenders have to respect her well beyond the three-point line.

She has the size and strength to play either guard position, and that strength also gives her versatility defensively. Even though she is primarily a perimeter player, she can hold her own against bigger players when needed and doesn't shy away from physical matchups.

Offensively, Newman looks comfortable both with and without the ball, which is why I would classify her as a combo guard rather than strictly a point or shooting guard. Her ability to play on the perimeter, handle the basketball, and always be a threat to shoot makes her difficult to leave unattended.

Overall, Newman is a strong scoring combo guard with size, confidence, and deep shooting range. When she is on the floor, you have to know where she is because she is never afraid to take the shot if you give her an opening.

Gia Lutomske – 5'10" | Greenwood High School | Class of 2027

Lutomske showed good footwork and a strong understanding of how to play around the basket. She did a nice job establishing position in the post and showed the ability to score with her back to the basket. At 5'10", she plays strong and uses her body well to create position and finish inside.

She also worked well in the pick-and-roll, finding space after setting the screen and giving the ball handler a good target around the basket. One thing I liked was that she didn't force offense. If the scoring opportunity wasn't there, she was a willing passer and looked to make the right basketball play.

Overall, Lutomske showed a good combination of strength, post footwork and basketball IQ. She understands how to play within an offense and can contribute as a scorer, screener and passer around the paint.

Mallory Moss – 5'6" PG | Richland High School | Class of 2027

Moss is a quick guard who puts a lot of pressure on the defense. If you give her time and space to get set, she can make you pay from the perimeter. Close out too aggressively, and she has the quickness to get around you and attack the basket, where she showed the ability to finish around the rim.

Defensively, Moss can pick up the opposing point guard and use her quickness to make them work. She did a good job staying in front, applying pressure and forcing ball handlers to change direction instead of allowing them to get comfortable.

What stood out most to me was the pace she can play at on both ends of the floor. If you're going to match up with Moss, you better be ready to move and you better be in shape because she's going to make you work.

Lucy Swearingen – 5'7" Guard | Nevada High School | Class of 2027

Swearingen is a strong, skilled guard who makes you work on the defensive end. At the Proving Grounds, what stood out to me was her shooting mechanics. She has good follow-through on her shot, and when she gets time to set her feet, look out, she is capable of knocking it down.

She also handles the basketball well. She has a strong, confident dribble and looks comfortable controlling the ball against pressure. Her combination of ball handling and shooting means a defender can't relax when matched up with her.

Overall, Swearingen is a well-rounded offensive guard with a strong handle and a good-looking shot. If you're guarding her, you're going to have to work because giving her space to get her feet set or allowing her to get comfortable with the basketball can put you in trouble.

Mallory Vaught – Crane High School | Class of 2029

Vaught was a player who really stood out to us at the Proving Grounds, especially since this was our first time seeing her play. She showed the ability to impact the game in several different ways and was willing to do the dirty work that helps a team win.

She rebounded the ball extremely well and wasn't afraid to battle inside. On the offensive glass, she showed the strength to grab a rebound and go right back up with it. She also showed a good outside shot, but she wasn't content to stay on the perimeter. She was willing to put the ball on the floor, attack the basket, and play through contact.

Defensively, Vaught competed and showed good awareness. She could grab a rebound and push the ball herself in transition, and I liked her ability to make the right read instead of forcing the play.

Overall, Vaught is a strong, versatile player who can shoot, rebound, defend, and make good decisions with the basketball. What impressed me most was her willingness to do whatever was needed—score, defend, rebound, push the break, or take care of the dirty work. She was definitely a player I came away impressed with after seeing her for the first time.

The 417 Elite 50 showed once again that there is plenty of talent coming through the region. From young players beginning to establish themselves to experienced players showing why they deserve attention, the event featured a wide variety of skill sets and playing styles.

The biggest takeaway was the level of competitiveness. These players weren't simply there to participate—they competed, challenged each other and showed a willingness to make plays on both ends of the floor.

For many of these players, this is only the beginning. As they continue to develop, add strength, refine their skills and gain experience, several of the names from this event could become players to watch at the next level.

The 417 Elite 50 is about giving those players a platform to prove themselves. Based on what we saw, there is no shortage of players ready for the opportunity.